Hmm.. that creates an interesting (and somewhat philosophical)
question: is an RDBMS an RDBMS based on its structure or its use?
According to WhatIs.com (granted, it's not totally definitive) is:
--start quote--
RDBMS (relational database management system)
An RDBMS is a program that lets you create, update, and administer a
relational database. An RDBMS takes
Structured Query Language (SQL) statements entered by a user or
contained in an application program and
creates, updates, or provides access to the database. Some of the
best-known RDBMS's include Microsoft's
Access, Oracle's Oracle7, and Computer Associates' CA-OpenIngres.
The majority of new corporate, small business, and personal databases
are being created for use with an RDBMS.
However, a new database model based on object-orientation, ODBMS, is
beginning to contend with the RDBMS
as the database management system of the future.
This term was suggested by Orjan Timan.
Sources: Allen G. Taylor. SQL for Dummies, IDG, (1995).
Robert Orfali, Dan Harkey, Jeri Edwards. The Essential Distributed
Objects Survival Guide, Wiley, (1996).
Last update: December 3, 1999
--end quote--
So an RDBMS isn't the DB, merely the interface to one (which Access
would qualify).
Of course, I think the true definition of a relational database (which
is what we're actually talking about, not an RDBMS) is one that uses
metadata, or a table, to define it's data and the relationships therein
(which Access does through MSysObjects)
--
Billy Cravens
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Duane Boudreau wrote:
>
> Relational DataBase Management System
>
> Oracle, Sybase, SQL Server 6.5/7.0, etc.
>
> Access doesn't qualify as it is in fact actually a flat file database with a
> pseudo relational front end (gui) sitting on top.
>
> Duane
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Paul Ihrig [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 11:24 AM
> > To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
> > Subject: RE: ntfs, how do i? ::Thank You::
> >
> >
> > RDBMS?
> > What are those?
> > -paul
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > From what I remember of Access, most of the linking functionality (fields,
> > tables, etc.) is based on absolute paths which makes the development <->
> > production migration a pain. All the more reason to move to an RDBMS if
> > possible.
> >
> > Steve
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